Departments and Institutes

Academic Departments

With cutting-edge research in neural engineering, cardiovascular and pulmonary engineering, materials and tissues, and imaging and biophotonics, the BME department affords students and researchers a variety of advanced learning opportunities in engineering, life sciences, and mathematics.

While creating global impact in the areas of sustainable energy, molecular engineering, materials, complex systems, biotechnology, and synthetic biology, the ChBE department prepares students to become leaders in entrepreneurship, medicine, law, government, and education.

Providing an exceptional range of opportunities for research and study in areas such as geotechnics, mechanics of materials and solids, structural engineering and infrastructure materials, and more, the CEE department encourages students to become masters of infrastructure and stewards of the environment.

Comprised of internationally renowned faculty and providing state-of-the-art facilities for research, the EECS department enables students and researchers to explore topics such as photonics, graphics, interactive media, and signals and systems, among others.

The IEMS department seeks to improve the productivity and quality of production and service systems by considering their design, analysis, and implementation. The department’s interdisciplinary research includes simulation and engineering statistics, new methodologies, and the rigorous solution of difficult problems in production, logistics, financial engineering, healthcare, and organizational systems analysis.

Established more than 50 years ago as the first materials science academic department in the world, the MatSci department at McCormick continues to lead the field. With ample opportunity to collaborate and conduct pioneering, cross-disciplinary research, our students become leaders in academia, entrepreneurship, industry, and professional organizations.

The future of mechanical engineering focuses on the design of energy-efficient systems that integrate traditional knowledge with emerging disciplines to invent the next engineering masterpieces. The ME department prepares students for the future by providing opportunities for interdisciplinary research in nanomaterials, advanced sensing, adaptive and responsive systems, rapid prototyping, molecular rotors, and biomechanical interfaces.

Major Centers and Institutes

Segal educates the next generation of design innovation leaders. By providing collaborative, project-based coursework in its interdisciplinary academic programs and state-of-the-art equipment in facilities such as the Prototyping and Fabrication Lab, Segal enables its undergraduate and graduate students to work at the forefront of innovation and human-centered design.

Endowed in 2008, FCEI advances interdisciplinary learning by integrating different disciplines and faculty to develop new curriculum and areas of empowerment, outreach, and research. Through Farley courses such as NUvention, students experience the entire innovation/business life cycle - from ideation to prototyping and business plan development.

NICO serves as a hub and facilitator for collaborative, relevant research in the area of complexity science, transcending the boundaries of established disciplines. Founded in 2004, it aims to uncover the fundamental principles governing complex systems in science, technology, and human behavior and apply these principles to solve societally relevant problems through the analysis, design, and control of complex systems.

The Center for Leadership provides a host of opportunities and resources for Northwestern students to develop their leadership skills and experience, including courses and a certificate program, a fellowship in leadership for PhD students, online assessments, leadership coaching, and other customized services.

Established in 1954, the Transportation Center pursues the long-term improvement of domestic and international systems for the movements of materials, people, energy, and information. Recognized as a leading interdisciplinary and research institute, it serves industry, government and the public through its research, graduate programs, and outreach.

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Whole-Brain Engineering Philosophy

We augment the analytical core of engineering with design, entrepreneurship, leadership, personal development, and unusual collaborations to imagine what's next and take the world in a whole new direction.